Sam Colt Made ‘Em Equal…

Firearms ownership is not only a right guaranteed to us by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, it is an underrated privilege many people take for granted and ignore. Having the right to own a firearm and in most states, carry a firearm puts the owner on equal footing with every other man or woman on the planet.

Recently, I suffered a moderately serious injury to my knee as a result of martial arts training. Not being able to use my personal body weapons for defense, it has taken away from me a valuable force option and until I recover fully I’ve become more reliant on the other force options available to me. One of my primary options, is my concealed carry firearm. I realize that my firearm is not a magic wand that will solve all of my problems, it is an option available to me should I find myself in a situation where I need to defend my life or the life of a loved one.

Firearms are empowering by nature and someone who owns and trains with a firearm is a force to be reckoned with. A handgun makes the 150 pound housewife as dangerous as the 250 pound mugger seeking to rape, pillage and plunder. A rifle makes the citizen soldier an anti-terrorism liaison and the home defense shotgun makes the family father a hurricane crashing down upon a home invader. There is an old saying that still rings true today: God made man, and Samuel Colt made them equal. Putting a gun into the hands of a person instantly transforms them from a subject of the crown to a citizen of the republic.

A housewife alone at home with her children and a gun makes her a staunch defender of her homestead. The proverbial accountant is now as dangerous as the outlaw biker. A firearm has become a symbol of power which is also one reason criminals fear it…and carry it. The one thing all criminals fear is an armed citizen who is capable of defending themselves.

A firearm should never be the only “tool” available during a crisis. There is another old adage that tells us, “When all you have is a hammer, every problem becomes a nail.” As a human being, you are a tool user, and your trained, prepared and proper mindset makes any tool you choose a dangerous one. Having pepper spray, a bat or baton, or even martial arts training will enable you to vary your approach to different threats you may encounter.

Having a hammer in your toolbox is very important, but it is not the only tool you should reach for every time. Under certain circumstances however, it is the right tool to go to right away! Whatever options you have make sure you are proficient in their use.